Young netballers pumped to see their idols in action
Seeing top netball stars in action on a Cairns court would be a dream come true for young up-and-coming netballers. See what venues could host Suncorp Super Netball games.
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SEEING top netball stars in action on a Cairns court would be a dream come true for young up-and-coming netballers.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s announcement on Sunday that Suncorp Super Netball matches would go ahead in Cairns had 14-year-old Cairns Pythons player Emily Grace on cloud nine.
“I like the team and really look up to them,” she said.
“It will be really good; I have never actually seen a Firebirds game so it would be really good to see one in your home town.”
Former Cairns Netball operations manager and Cairns Leprechauns coach Kym McPhee-Smith said the matches would be a welcome boost for the sport.
“It’s amazing. With COVID, we have really missed out in regional Queensland … so I think it’s fantastic that Netball Australia are going to bring Suncorp games to the regions,” she said.
“Every little girl that plays netball dreams to (play Super Netball) so to actually have an opportunity for them to go, I know it won’t just be the kids, parents will love the opportunity as well.”
Details about where matches could be held are yet to be announced, but the Cairns netball stalwart said suitable venues were limited.
“They would actually have to bring their own flooring up because they have all the sponsorship on the floor,” she said.
“The Convention Centre was earmarked as the best place but now with the (construction upgrade, that’s not possible) and I don’t believe the new court for the Taipans will be ready in two weeks’ time.
“Potentially the only place is the YMCA (Smithfield) where we host our state games.
“Or the Fish Tank was the other option. The Marlins’ Fish Tank could be the best solution, because they already have the corporate seating and corporate boxes.”
The Trinity Anglican School court could also be an option, Ms McPhee-Smith said.
Regardless of where the matches are played, seeing high-performance athletes in the flesh would be inspiration for young Cairns hopefuls.
“They only see what they see on TV, but they aspire to a pathway to being an elite athlete,” Ms McPhee-Smith said.
“The likes of Gretel Tippett or Romelda Aiken – that’s who they aspire to be like.
“This is something you dream of, it’s phenomenal.”
Originally published as Young netballers pumped to see their idols in action